Leica IIIg v IIIf

cliveh · Jan 27, 2016

I have always thought that the Leica IIIg was the dogs bollocks of the screw mount Leica range and Ive had one for several years, but never really been able to bond with it. A few months ago, I bought a IIIf out of curiosity and I really like it, more so than the IIIg, but don't know why. Have others experience of these two types of Leica?

Paul Howell · Jan 27, 2016

cliveh said:
I have always thought that the Leica IIIg was the dogs bollocks of the screw mount Leica range and Ive had one for several years, but never really been able to bond with it. A few months ago, I bought a IIIf out of curiosity and I really like it, more so than the IIIg, but don't know why. Have others experience of these two types of Leica?

I had both, I liked the IIIG much better than the F.

cliveh · Jan 27, 2016

PDH said:
I had both, I liked the IIIG much better than the F.

But do you know why?

John Koehrer · Jan 27, 2016

cliveh said:
But do you know why?

He probably couldn't bond with it.

Paul Howell · Jan 27, 2016

I liked the III G viewfinder better than the F, otherwise the layout is very similar, I liked the overall feel of both the F and G to of Canon P or 7, but in terms of functionality the P and 7 were much better then any Leica screw mount.

02Pilot · Jan 27, 2016

I've got a IIIg and a couple of IIIcs. I only got the IIIg fairly recently, but my initial impressions are that the VF is a very nice feature, but the added size and weight of the body do make it feel less like an extension of my arm than the IIIcs. A IIIc with a small lens feels much more compact than the IIIg, inordinately so based strictly on the numbers. I do find the IIIc more natural and instinctive to use, especially with an external VF. The IIIg feels closer to my larger Canon bodies (L1 and P).

Theo Sulphate · Jan 27, 2016

Visually, the IIIf with its smaller viewfinder window is more elegant than the IIIg.

Arklatexian · Jan 27, 2016

cliveh said:
I have always thought that the Leica IIIg was the dogs bollocks of the screw mount Leica range and Ive had one for several years, but never really been able to bond with it. A few months ago, I bought a IIIf out of curiosity and I really like it, more so than the IIIg, but don't know why. Have others experience of these two types of Leica?

I was working in a camera store when the IIIg was introduced here in the USA. Customers that we sold the IIIg to and who actually USED THEM, seemed to have more problems with them than with either of the used IIIf, red or black dial, or any of the M cameras, (M1, M2, or M3), sold at that time. The problems were usually mechanical as I remember. I left the business shortly after and figured that Leitz later corrected any problems and they seem to be pretty well liked in these forums. To this day, I would rather have a IIIf, red dial than any other screw-mount Leica. Can't really tell you why. Don't have one now, wish I did. Guess I'll just keep on getting by with my M2 and M3...Regards!

gone · Jan 28, 2016

Funny, I always preferred the IIIa cameras. You get used to the viewfinders or put an aux viewfinder on them, although I never had to do that unless I had a 90 Elmar on it.

Jim Jones · Jan 28, 2016

I considered supplementing my IIIf with a IIIg, but the bulk of the IIIg compared to the svelte IIIf dissuaded me. When the IIIf got bashed in, a Canon P was available, and later a Canon 7S. Both were eventually replaced with a new M4 which is now battered, but still functional. Neither Canon is working now. The M4 is by far the best of the lot. Sometimes I do miss that IIIf with the collapsing Elmar, a true pocket camera.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 28, 2016

I had a c for a while and "upgraded" to an f. I'd probably prefer a g for the viewfinder but love how my f feels and works....

aoresteen · Jan 28, 2016

I have had both. About 8 years ago I had to downsize my Barnack collection and I had to sell my IIIg or the IIIf. I sold the IIIg not because I didn't like it but because it sold for lots more money. I get the itch to get another IIIg every once & a while.

Leica IIIg v IIIf

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